Welcome To the e-travelguide to Hotels, guest houses and attractions in Monmonthshire and the Wye Valley

Make the most of your time in Monmonthshire and the Wye Valley, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links above to plan your visit.

The Wye Valley lies in the south-east region of Wales into the English Midlands. It encompasses parts of Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire, to the extent that the border between England and Wales in this area remained undefined until the Monmouthshire side of the valley was officially recognised by Wales in 1974. The valley’s location on the boundary between countries means that throughout history invaders attempted to control trade and invasions from England to Wales and vice versa by fortifying the border. Remains from Palaeolithic, Iron and Bronze Age, Roman and Norman settlements can be found dotted through the area. Consequently Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley are rich in military and cultural heritage, seen particularly in the myriad castle ruins found in almost every town in the area. Apart from the comparatively large former port of Chepstow, this area of Wales is largely comprised of smaller historic market and farming towns..

As a result of this, despite the fact that approximately 60% of Wales’s 3 million population resides in the South East, Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley retain the rural charm one would expect from the Welsh countryside, in stark contrast to the industrialised areas around Newport and Cardiff. Thanks to its rolling hills, remarkably unpolluted river and splendid wildlife habitats the Monmouthshire side of the Wye Valley was declared an Area of Outstanding National Beauty in 1971. In recognition of this, there are several walk and bike routes ranging from two hours to two weeks to complete, which allow visitors to take in the unspoiled vistas, explore the medieval ruins and to immerse themselves in historic Wales. The Three Castles walk, for example, begins and ends in Monmouth, taking in the Norman forts of Skenfrith, Grosmont and White Castle over 18 miles. These three castles were built in the 11th century and refortified in stone in the 12th century in response to the assault of Abergavenny Castle by Welsh insurgents who resented their occupation by the Normans.

For a relaxing stay, there are 17 golf courses around the area of varying difficulty, while local rivers and the south coast of Wales also offer anglers a wealth of opportunities to fish. For the more active visitor, one can enjoy pony trekking through the mountains, paragliding, hang-gliding, canoeing or kayaking, or one can hire a narrowboat and discover the beauty of the Wye at your own pace. For businesses, there are also corporate retreats providing team-building exercises including orienteering and raft-building exercises. Despite its rural setting, there are also good road and transport links to the commercial and business areas of Cardiff, Newport and Bristol, allowing guests of Monmouthshire and the Wye Valley to enjoy the relative solitude and laid-back outlook of the countryside while not being too far away from the cities.

Contact: 0118 971 4700